You are here

UWF Collections » UWF Theses and Dissertations » UWF Theses

Thermal tolerance determination of the red-eared slider, Trachemys Scripta Elegans

Download pdf | Full Screen View

Date Issued:
2020
Abstract:
Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are considered one of the most abundant and successful invasive turtle species in the world. Currently, red-eared sliders are known to have reproducing populations on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. In areas where they have become established, red-eared sliders often outcompete and in some areas extirpate native turtle fauna. A key adaptation recognized in red-eared sliders is their ability to survive a wide range of environmental temperatures. Across their native range, the turtles are noted to survive long-term winter freezing temperatures, as well as prolonged exposure to summer temperature extremes. Although temperature plays an important role in shaping red-eared slider ecology and distribution, relatively little is known about their thermal requirements. This study is the first to use Critical and Chronic Thermal Methodology to define the red-eared slider's thermal niche. The chronic maximum temperature was 43°C ± 0.3, while the chronic minimum was 18°C ± 0.3. Critical Thermal Maximum increased in correlation to acclimation temperature, 41.8°C ± 0.3 at 15°C, 43.2°C ± 0.3 at 22°C, 44.1°C ± 0.5 at 28°C, and 45.7°C ± 0.2 when acclimated to 35°C. Critical Thermal Minimum also increased in relation to the acclimation temperature, -0.04°C ± 0.3 at 15°C, 2.7°C ± 0.1 at 22°C, 3.3°C ± 0.3 at 28°C, and 5.1°C ± 0.2 when acclimated at 35°C. Using the results of this study, the thermal polygon of red-eared sliders was able to be quantified and paves the way for future thermal studies in this species.
Title: Thermal tolerance determination of the red-eared slider, Trachemys Scripta Elegans.
91 views
46 downloads
Name(s): Tatum, Abigail, author.
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Bibliography
Text-txt
Academic Theses.
Academic Theses.
Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation.
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2020
Date Issued: 2020
Other Date: 2020.
Publisher: University of West Florida,
Place of Publication: Pensacola, Florida :
Physical Form: electronic resource
Extent: 1 online resource (viii, 32 leaves : charts)
Language(s): eng
Abstract: Red-eared sliders (Trachemys scripta elegans) are considered one of the most abundant and successful invasive turtle species in the world. Currently, red-eared sliders are known to have reproducing populations on every continent with the exception of Antarctica. In areas where they have become established, red-eared sliders often outcompete and in some areas extirpate native turtle fauna. A key adaptation recognized in red-eared sliders is their ability to survive a wide range of environmental temperatures. Across their native range, the turtles are noted to survive long-term winter freezing temperatures, as well as prolonged exposure to summer temperature extremes. Although temperature plays an important role in shaping red-eared slider ecology and distribution, relatively little is known about their thermal requirements. This study is the first to use Critical and Chronic Thermal Methodology to define the red-eared slider's thermal niche. The chronic maximum temperature was 43°C ± 0.3, while the chronic minimum was 18°C ± 0.3. Critical Thermal Maximum increased in correlation to acclimation temperature, 41.8°C ± 0.3 at 15°C, 43.2°C ± 0.3 at 22°C, 44.1°C ± 0.5 at 28°C, and 45.7°C ± 0.2 when acclimated to 35°C. Critical Thermal Minimum also increased in relation to the acclimation temperature, -0.04°C ± 0.3 at 15°C, 2.7°C ± 0.1 at 22°C, 3.3°C ± 0.3 at 28°C, and 5.1°C ± 0.2 when acclimated at 35°C. Using the results of this study, the thermal polygon of red-eared sliders was able to be quantified and paves the way for future thermal studies in this species.
Identifier: 1220950656 (oclc), WFE0000734 (IID)
Note(s): by Abigail Tatum.
Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering
Thesis (M.S.) University of West Florida 2020
Includes bibliographical references.
Also available in print.
Subject(s): University of West Florida
University of West Florida.
Red-eared slider
Library Classification: LD1807.F62k 2020 T388
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/uwf/fd/WFE0000734
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Host Institution: UWF
Other Format: Thermal tolerance determination of the red-eared slider, Trachemys Scripta Elegans. (Print version:)
(OCoLC)1220949449

In Collections